We decided to go to Budapest / Hungary for a conference as it was a totally new destination for us. At the station it was a most unexpected scene - the platform was full of big fat ladies with albums in their hands. Never before I have experienced this. A little confused we accepted one lady’s homestay. It was right across the bridge over the Danube from the hotel where the conference was to be held.

Our trip to Tatras Mountains was a surprise for me. But my husband knew about it. He is better at Geography than me. It was an extension of our visit to Budapest. In 1683, an anonymous author published a book of adventures and excursions in the Tatras. It became very popular in Europe and contributed to the growth of tourism in the Tatras.

Besides Moscow and Saint Peterburg thre is much more to Russia - Journey on Trans Siberian train and going to Kamchatka, land of bears remains a distant dream. Our travel agent recommended to see Russia’s Golden Ring.

My main interest in going to any country is basically for NATURAL beauty with unique charactrs and intersting culture in terms of art. As for Russia, it has been isolated for so many years geographically and religiously – and that makes it different.

Chartres Cathedral appears as an essential landmark in the history of medieval architecture. The outstanding stained-glass ensemble, monumental statuary of the 12th and 13th centuries and the painted decorations miraculously preserved from the ravages of humankind and time, make Chartres one of the most admirable and the best-preserved examples of Gothic art.